Pull tab for easy opening can end



Jan. 30, 1968 N s. KHOURY PULL TAB FOR EASY OPENING CAN END Filed May 27, 1966 -INVE'N'I'OR NICK s. KHOURY c/liguk/ ZTTORNEYS United States Patent Ofitice 3,366,270 PULL TAB FOR EASY OPENING CAN END Nick S. Khoury, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 27, 1966, Ser. No. 553,390 11 Claims. (Cl. 22054) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in easy opening containers and more particularly to a pull tab particularly constructed for effecting the initial rupture of a container and the tearing out of a panel portion thereof.

This invention relates to a pull tab wherein in the initial rupture of the container panel, an inward pressure is exerted utilizing the pull tab with the pull tab functioning as a simple first-class lever.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel pull tab which may be readily formed of sheet metal and which is reinforced by shaping the same to be extremely rigid and at the same time being of a construction so as to have a hinged connection with respect to the removable panel portion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a rigid sheet metal pull tab for easy opening containers wherein the pull tab includes a forward portion terminating in a nose for applying a concentrated pressure on a panel portion and a rear grip portion of the finger ring type, the forward portion including an attaching panel which is hingedly connected to the remainder of the pull tab along a transverse line, which attaching portion may be rigidly secured to a removable panel and which permits the swinging of the pull tab relative to the panel to effect an opening pressure on the panel.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a can end incorporating the pull tab of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 and shows a modified form of pull tab.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 5 and shows further the details of the modified form of pull tab.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 an easy opening container which is generally referred to by the numeral 10 and which is illustrated as being in the form of a generally conventional type of can. The container 10 includes a can body 11 to which there is secured by means of a double seam 12 a can end which is generally referred to by the numeral 13. The can end 13 includes an end panel 14 of which a major portion thereof is r movable, the removable panel portion being identified 3,365,270 Patented Jan. 30, 1968 by the numeral 15 and being outlined by a peripheral score line 16.

In order to facilitate the rupture of the end panel 14 and the tearing out of the removable panel portion 15, there is provided a pull tab which is generally referred to by the numeral 17. The pull tab 17 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal and is fixedly secured to the removable panel portion 15 by means of a rivet 18 formed integral with the panel portion 15.

Broadly speaking, the pull tab 17 includes a forward portion, generally identified by the numeral 19, and a rear grip portion, generally referred to by the numeral 20. The portions 19 and 20 are connected together by a transverse cross bar 21 which is common to the two portions of the pull tab.

The grip portion 20 is in the form of a finger ring and has a finger receiving opening 22. The finger receiving opening 22 is defined by a downwardly and radially outwardly turned curl 23 which is best shown in FIGURE 2. Around the periphery of the grip portion 20, the sheet metal of the pull tab 17 is folded or curled to define a hem 24. The hem 24 cooperates with the curl 23 to rigidify the grip portion 20 and at the same time to eliminate all exposed raw edges around the grip portion 20, both internally and externally.

The forward portion 19 is reinforced by an upstanding rib 25 which extends substantially entirely around the forward portion 19. The rib 25, as is best shown in FIGURE 3, includes an upstanding inner flange 26, an uppermost web 27 and a peripheral depending flange 28. The flange 28 at each side of the forward portion 19 is a continuation of the hem 24. Also, it is to be noted that the upstanding flange 26 forms one boundary of the cross bar 21 while the curl 23 forms the opposite boundary of the cross bar 21.

The rib 25 defines a recessed attaching portion 30 which is planar and of which a portion is in the form of an attaching panel 31. The attaching panel 31 is defined by a generally U-shaped cut 32 which opens towards the forward end of the pull tab. The cut 32 terminates at the opposite ends thereof in transversely aligned, generally opposed, reversely turned portions 33. The attaching panel 31 has an opening 34 therethrough receiving the rivet 18, as is best shown in FIGURE 2.

The forward portion 19 of the pull tab terminates at its forward end in a nose generally identified by the numeral 35. As is best shown in FIGURE 4 the nose 35 includes a central curved portion 36 and outwardly and rearwardly diverging outer portions 37. Furthermore, as is best shown in FIGURE 1, it will be seen that the radius of curvature of the curved portion 36 is the same as the radius of curvature of that portion of the score line 16 with which the pull tab 17 is aligned. It is to be noted further that, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 1, the arcuate central portion 36 of the nose 35 is disposed in matching aligned relation with respect to the score line 16 when the pull tab 17 is in its operative position.

The grip portion 20, which is primarily in the form of a ring, has that part thereof remote from the forward portion 19 upwardly offset as at 38. The upward offsetting of the grip portion 20 facilitates the insertion of ones finger beneath the grip portion 20 to facilitate the initial lifting of the pull tab 17.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be seen that when it is desired to open the can 10, the rear end of the grip portion 20 is lifted. As the pull tab 17 is lifted, it will hinge about a transverse line extending between the end portions 33 of the cut line 32 with a majority of the pull tab 17 hinging relative to the attaching portion 31. During the initial portion of the lifting movement of the pull tab 17, there will be a certain amount of slack which will permit the elevation of the grip portion 20 a suflicient distance to facilitate the firm engagement of ones finger in the finger receiving opening 22 thereof. After the pull tab 17 has been elevated to a position where it may be readily gripped, the nose 35, particularly the curved portion 36 thereof, comes into firm contact with the end panel 14 along the score line 16 and further upward movement of the grip portion, through the simple lever effect of the pull tab, results in the exertion of a downward pressure on the removable panel portion immediately adjacent the score line 16 of a magnitude to effect the rupture of the end panel 14. This is clearly shown in FIGURE 2. After the initial rupture occurs, the entire removable panel portion 15 may be torn out by an upwardly and rearwardly directed pull on the pull tab 17.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 5 and 6 wherein there is illustrated a slightly modified form of pull tab which is generaly referred to by the numeral 40. The pull tab 40, like the pull tab 17, includes a forward portion 41 and a grip portion 42 with the two portions being connected together by a cross bar 43. In view of the fact that the grip portion 42 is identical with the grip portion of the pull tab 17, further description of the grip portion 42 is believed to be unnecessary.

The forward portion 41 is defined by an upstanding rib 44 which, together with the cross bar 43, forms an encircling reinforcement. The rib 44 includes an upstanding inner flange 45, an uppermost horizontally disposed web 46, and a peripheral depending flange 47. The shapes of the flanges 45 and 47 are clearly shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

The flange 45 defines an attaching portion 49 which is substantially planar and which has formed therein a forwardly opening U-shaped cut 50 which defines an attaching panel 51. The U-shaped cut 50 terminates at its forward ends in inwardly and reversely turned cut portions 52 which are disposed in transverse opposed relation. The attaching panel 51 is provided with an opening 53 through which the rivet 18 of the associated can 10 passes.

It is to be noted that the forward portion 41 terminates in a nose which is generally referred to by the numeral 54. The nose includes a central arcuate portion 55 and rearwardly and outwardly diverging outer portions 56-. It is to be noted that the nose 54 is formed by a forward portion of the peripheral flange 47, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

When the pull tab 40 is secured in place on the can end 13, the arcuate central portion 55 of the nose 54 is in alignment with the score line 16, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 5. The can 10, when it is provided with the pull tab 40, is opened in the manner described above with respect to the pull tab 17.

It will be readily apparent that the construction of the forward portions 19 and 41 of the two pull tabs 17 and 40, respectively, is such to provide an extremely rigid tab. Both tabs are constructed to transmit a lifting force applied to the respectively grip portion through the tab to the nose thereof with a minimum of bending of the tab.

Although only two preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the disclosed pull tab constructions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A one-piece sheet metal pull tab having a forward portion and a finger ring type grip portion rigidly connected by a transverse cross bar, said forward portion having a nose at the end thereof remote from said grip portion, the interior of said grip portion being defined by a curl, said forward portion having a central attaching portion defined by an upstanding flange, said curl and said flange being disposed on opposite sides of and reinforcing said cross bar, and said attaching portion including a hingedly mounted attaching panel extending away from said nose.

2. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said attaching panel is an integral part of said attaching portion and is defined by a generally U-shaped cut opening towards said nose.

3. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said attaching panel is an integral part of said attaching portion and is defined by a generally U-shaped cut opening towards said nose, said U-shaped cut terminating at the opposite ends thereof in transversely aligned, generally opposed, reversely turned portions.

4. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said forward portion is further reinforced by a peripheral flange along opposite sides thereof, and said peripheral flange terminates in a peripheral hem extending around said grip portion.

5. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said forward portion is further reinforced by a peripheral flange along opposite sides thereof, and said peripheral flange terminates in a peripheral hem extending around said grip portion, said peripheral flange and said upstanding flange being parts of an upstanding rib of which said bar is a common portion, said rib extending substantially entirely around said forward portion.

6. The full tab of claim 1 wherein said forward portion is further reinforced by a peripheral flange along opposite sides thereof, and said peripheral flange terminates in a peripheral hem extending around said grip portion, said peripheral flange and said upstanding flange being parts of an upstanding rib of which said cross bar is a common portion, said rib extending entirely around said forward portion.

7. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said nose includes an arcuate central portion centered along a longitudinal central axis of said pull tab, and outwardly, diverging outer portions whereby a concentrated pressure may be applied by said nose central portion.

8. The pull tab of claim 1 wherein said forward portion is further reinforced by a peripheral flange along opposite sides thereof, and said peripheral flange terminates in a peripheral hem extending around said grip portion, said peripheral flange and said upstanding flange being parts of an upstanding rib of which said cross bar is a common portion, said rib extending entirely around said forward porton, said nose being formed by a portion of said peripheral flange.

9. An easy opening container member comprising a panel having a single continuous arcuate weakening line formed therein to define a removable panel portion, a pull tab carried solely by said removable panel portion for facilitating both the rupture of said panel along said weakening line and the tearing out of said panel portion, said pull tab having a forward portion and a finger ring type grip portion rigidly connected by a transverse cross bar, said forward portion having a nose at the end thereof remote from said grip portion, the interior of said grip portion being defined by a curl, said forward portion having a central attaching portion defined by an upstanding flange, said curl and said flange being disposed on opposite sides of and reinforcing said cross bar, and said attaching portion including a hingedly mounted attaching panel extending away from said nose, means permanently securing said attaching panel to said removable panel portion with said nose aligned with said weakening line, and said nose having an arcuate central portion centered along a longitudinal central axis of said 5 6 pull tab, and outwardly diverging outer portions whereby References Cited aracloggeggrl'iated pressure may be applied by said nose cen- UNITED STATES PATENTS I. 10. The container member of claim 9 wherein said 3313446 4/1967 Harvey 220-54 nose is defined by a peripheral reinforcing flange. 5 3322296 5/1967 Khoury 220-54 11. The container of claim 9 wherein said nose central portion is of the same curvature as an adjacent por- THERON CONDON Pnmary Exammer tion of said weakening line. G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ONE-PIECE SHEET METAL PULL TAB HAVING A FORWARD PORTION AND A FINGER RING TYPE GRIP PORTION RIGIDLY CONNECTED BY A TRANSVERSE CROSS BAR, SAID FORWARD PORTION HAVING A NOSE AT THE END THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID GRIP PORTION, THE INTERIOR OF SAID GRIP PORTION BEING DEFINED BY A CURL, SAID FORWARD PORTION HAVING A CENTRAL ATTACHING PORTION DEFINED BY AN UPSTANDING FLANGE, SAID CURL AND SAID FLANGE BEING DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF AND REINFORCING SAID CROSS BAR, AND SAID ATTACHING PORTION INCLUDING A HINGEDLY MOUNTED ATTACHING PANEL EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID NOSE. 